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Product Category Rules for North American Gypsum Boards FPInnovations – Gypsum PCR-2013: v1
UNCPC Code 3699 NAICS Code 327420
This PCR is valid for five (5) years from the date of issue.
This PCR-document has been developed in accordance with FPInnovations General Program Instructions
PCR Program Operator: FPInnovations
www.fpinnovations.ca
PCR Revision History:
Issue Number
Amendments Issue Date
v 1 - September 30, 2013
PCR Development Technical Group TC members listed in alphabetical order J. Meil Athena Sustainable Material Institute Chair
T. Adams American Coal Ash Association
L. Bushi Athena Sustainable Material Institute
C. Dixon NBBJ global architecture, planning and design firm
B. Duterte Wall and Ceiling Bureau
M. Gardner Gypsum Association
C. Marlet Eurogypsum
B. O’Banion Fibre Box Association
G. A. Wondimagegnehu University of Calgary
L. Mahalle FPInnovations
Project Manager
PCR Peer Review Panel CRP members listed in alphabetical order T. Gloria Industrial Ecology Consultants Chair
M. Marceau Morrison Hershfield
K. Simonen University of Washington
Table of Contents
1 General Information .................................................................................................................... 8
2 Scope of the PCR............................................................................................................................. 9
3 Referenced documents .............................................................................................................. 10
4 Definitions ..................................................................................................................................... 13
5 Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................... 17
6 PCR’s Period of Validity ............................................................................................................. 20
7 Consideration of Existing PCRs .............................................................................................. 20
8 Definition of the product category ........................................................................................ 22
9 Description of the product ....................................................................................................... 23
10 Gypsum boards EPD-types and the primary audience .................................................. 23
11 Requirements for the underlying LCA ................................................................................. 24
11.1 Functional and declared unit ..................................................................................................... 24
11.2 Reference service life .................................................................................................................... 25
11.3 System boundaries ......................................................................................................................... 26
A1-A3 Product stage ................................................................................................................................................... 26
A4-A5 Construction stage ......................................................................................................................................... 29
B1-B5 Use stage related to the building structure ......................................................................................... 30
B6-B7 Use stage related to the operation of the building ........................................................................... 32
C1-C4 End-of-life stage .............................................................................................................................................. 33
D Benefits and loads beyond the system boundary, information module ........................................... 33
11.4 Data quality requirements .......................................................................................................... 34
11.5 Cut-off rules ...................................................................................................................................... 35
11.6 Units ..................................................................................................................................................... 36
12 Life Cycle Inventory Analysis .................................................................................................. 37
12.1 Data collection ................................................................................................................................. 37
12.2 Data sources ..................................................................................................................................... 37
12.3 Calculation rules ............................................................................................................................. 37
12.4 Allocation rules ............................................................................................................................... 38
13 Environmental Parameters derived from LCA ................................................................. 41
13.1 Parameters describing environmental impacts .................................................................. 41
13.2 Parameters describing resource use ....................................................................................... 42
13.3 Other environmental information describing different waste categories and output
flows .................................................................................................................................................... 43
14 Additional technical and environmental Information ................................................... 44
15 Ownership, responsibility and liability for the EPD ....................................................... 44
16 Verification and validity of the EPD ...................................................................................... 44
17 Comparability of EPDs ............................................................................................................... 44
18 LCA study report on the declared product ......................................................................... 45
19 Content of the EPD ...................................................................................................................... 46
List of Figures Figure 1 Gypsum boards life cycle stages and modules [EN 15804 adapted from ISO 21930] . 26
Figure 2 Cradle-to-gate system boundaries of the gypsum quarry and mining process ............. 28
Figure 3 Cradle-to-gate system boundaries of the gypsum paper manufacturing ...................... 28
Figure 4 Cradle-to-gate system boundaries of the gypsum boards manufacturing .................... 29
Figure 5 System expansion approach for the FGD gypsum ...................................................... 40
Figure 6 System expansion approach for the post-consumer gypsum material ......................... 40
List of Tables Table 1 Gypsum board EPD types ............................................................................................ 24
Table 2 Mandatory conversion factors ...................................................................................... 36
Table 3 Parameters describing environmental impacts ............................................................. 41
Table 4 Parameters describing resource use ............................................................................ 42
Table 5 Parameters describing different waste categories and output flows1) ............................ 43
Table 6 Summary of the general data for gypsum boards ......................................................... 47
Table 7 Summary of the technical data for gypsum boards ....................................................... 48
Table 8 Declared unit for gypsum boards .................................................................................. 49
Table 9 A4 module- Construction stage - Transport to the building site ..................................... 51
Table 10 A5 module- Construction stage- Installation in the building ......................................... 51
Table 11 B2 module- Use stage- Maintenance ......................................................................... 51
Table 12 B3 module- Use stage- Repair ................................................................................... 52
Table 13 B4/B5 module- Use stage- Replacement/Refurbishment ............................................ 52
Table 14 B6 and B7 module- Use stage- operational energy use and operational water use .... 52
Table 15 C1-C4 module- End-of-Life ......................................................................................... 53
Table 16 LCA results................................................................................................................. 54
Table 17 Additional environmental information (optional) .......................................................... 55
Gypsum Board PCR 8
1 General Information
The intended application of this product category rules (PCR) document is to provide a
common set of specific rules, requirements and guidelines for developing ISO 14025
conformance Type III environmental product declarations (EPDs) for North American
(NA) produced gypsum board products and to specify the underlying requirements of
the Life cycle assessment (LCA) in conformance with The International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) 14040 series of LCA standards.
The primary users of this PCR will be the Gypsum Association (GA) and its member
companies. Other NA gypsum board manufacturers could use this PCR as well.
This PCR is valid for NA produced gypsum boards as defined in ASTM International
(ASTM) Standard C11 that fulfill all standards, regulations and technical specifications
shown under Section 3 Referenced documents.
This PCR complies with the requirements and follows the recommendations set within
the following ISO standards:
- ISO 14025:2006, Environmental labeling and declarations - Type III environmental
declarations- Principles and procedures
- ISO 21930:2007, Sustainability in building construction - Environmental declaration of
building products
- ISO 14044:2006, Environmental Management - Life Cycle Assessment- Requirements
and Guidelines
- ISO 14040:2006, Environmental Management - Life Cycle Assessment- Principles and
Framework
In compliance with ISO 14025, Clause 6.7.1, this PCR is based on the German Institute
for Construction and Environment (IBU) PCR Part A Calculation Rules for the LCA and
Requirements on the Background Report (Sept 2011) and Part B Requirements on the
EPD for Plasterboard (Oct 2012) modified for NA circumstances as described in Section
7. These two documents were developed in accordance with European Standard EN
158041. EN 15804 is a noted guidance reference in the text of this PCR.
This PCR covers three types of gypsum board EPDs: “cradle to shipping gate”, “cradle
to building- option 1, 2 and 3” and “cradle to grave” as described in Section 10.
1 EN 15804:2012 Sustainability of construction works - Environmental product declarations - Core rules
for the product category of construction products.
Gypsum Board PCR 9
2 Scope of the PCR
The scope of this PCR is limited to the environmental performance of NA produced
gypsum boards. It does not address either the economic or social aspects of the
product.
The technical content of this gypsum board PCR includes the following:
- Definition of the gypsum board product category as per ASTM C11;
- Identification of the predetermined product and technical data including environmental
and health information that are to be included in a gypsum board EPD;
- Determination of the types of gypsum board EPDs and their primary audiences;
- Identification of the stages of the gypsum board’s life cycle to be considered within
each type of EPD and which processes are to be included within each life cycle stage;
and
- Specification of the rules for calculating the Life cycle inventory (LCI) and Life cycle
impact assessment (LCIA) underling the gypsum board EPD, including data quality
requirements.
Declarations based on this PCR are not comparative assertions; that is, no claim of
environmental superiority can be inferred or implied. A general EPD requirement is that
all information provided in the EPD, whether mandatory or voluntary, shall be verifiable.
The comparison of the environmental performance of construction products using the
EPD information shall be based on the product’s use and its impact on the building and
shall consider the complete life cycle (all information modules).
Gypsum Board PCR 10
3 Referenced documents
General Standards for Gypsum Board Products
Manufacturing and Product Standards
ASTM C11-13, Standard Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building
Materials and Systems
ASTM C22/C22M-00(2010), Standard Specification for Gypsum
ASTM C1396/C1396M-13, Standard Specification for Gypsum Board
CAN/CSA–A82.27-M:1991, Gypsum Board
Installation Stage
ASTM C840-11, Standard Specification for Application and Finishing of Gypsum Board
ASTM C841-03(2008), Standard Specification for Installation of Interior Lathing and
Furring
ASTM C844-04(2010), Standard Specification for Application of Gypsum Base to
Receive Gypsum Veneer Plaster
ASTM C1280-13, Standard Specification for Application of Exterior Gypsum Panel
Products for Use as Sheathing
GA-216-2013, Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products
GA-253-2012, Application of Gypsum Sheathing
CSA A82.31-M:1991, Gypsum Board Application
Additional Specifications
ASTM C473-12, Standard Test Methods for Physical Testing of Gypsum Panel
Products
ASTM C1629/C1629M-11, Standard Classification for Abuse-Resistant Non decorated
Interior Gypsum Panel Products and Fiber-Reinforced Cement Panels
ASTM D3273-12, Standard Test Method for Resistance to Growth of Mold on the
Surface of Interior Coatings in an Environmental Chamber
ASTM E84-13a, Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building
Materials
ASTM E96/E96M-12, Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of
Materials
Gypsum Board PCR 11
ASTM E2129-10, Standard Practice for Data Collection for Sustainability Assessment of
Building Products.
ISO Conformance LCA Report of North American Gypsum Board Products
Gypsum Association LCA Final report:2011, A Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Assessment of
½” Regular and 5/8” Type X Gypsum Wallboards
General and Building Sector Specific ISO Standards and others for LCA, PCR and
EPDs
- ISO 14040:2006, Environmental management—Life cycle assessment—Principles
and framework
- ISO 14044:2006, Environmental management—Life cycle assessment—Requirements
and guidelines
- ISO 14025:2006, Environmental labels and declarations- Type III environmental
declarations - Principles and procedures
- ISO 21930:2007, Sustainability in building construction- Environmental declaration of
building products
- ISO 15392:2008, Sustainability in building construction- General principles
- ISO 15686-1:2011, Buildings and constructed assets- Service life planning- Part 1:
General principles and framework
- ISO 15686-8:2008, Buildings and constructed assets- Service life planning Part 8:
Reference service life and service life estimation
- EN 15804:2012, Sustainability of construction works- Environmental product
declarations- Core rules for the product category of construction products
- ISO/DIS 14046:2013, Environmental management- Water footprint- Principles,
requirements and guidelines
Federal Standards and SOPs
- 40 CFR 50 Protection of Environment - Part 50: National Primary and Secondary
Ambient Air Quality Standards (U.S) (http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html)
- Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 112(r): Accidential Release Prevention/Public
Management Rule (http://www.epa.gov/oem/docs/chem/caa112_rmp_factsheet.pdf)
- CERCLA Hazardous Substances (U.S) (http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/hazsubs/cercsubs.htm)
- EPCRA Section 313 Toxic Release Inventory Reporting (U.S) (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/epcra/section313.html)
Gypsum Board PCR 12
- U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA
1910.1200 Hazard Communication Standard—Toxic and Hazardous Substances (U.S)
(http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=10099)
- The Canadian National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) Reporting (http://www.ec.gc.ca/inrp-npri/default.asp?lang=En&n=4A577BB9-1)
- U.S EPA, ORD/NRMRL/Sustainable Technology Division, Systems Analysis Branch,
SOP No. S-10637-OP-1-0- Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and
other Environmental Impacts (TRACI), Software Name and Version Number: TRACI
version 2.1, USER’S MANUAL, 24 July, 2012.
Gypsum Board PCR 13
4 Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
- Ancillary input - input material or product that’s used by a unit process during the life
cycle of the gypsum boards, but which does not constitute part of the gypsum board
[adjusted from ISO 14040 and EN 15804]
- Average data - data representative of a product, product group or construction
service, provided by more than one supplier [EN 15804]
- Building boards - includes all kind of building boards prepared for trade like gypsum
boards, gypsum bonded particle boards, particleboards, OSB boards, fibre boards,
plywood, composite boards, decorative high pressure laminate, cement based boards,
wall, ceiling and flooring boards etc [The Norwegian EPD Foundation PCR on building
boards NPCR 010].
- Comparative assertion - environmental claim regarding the superiority or
equivalence of one product versus a competing product that performs the same function
[ISO 14044]
- Co-product - any of two or more products coming from the same unit process or
product system [ISO 14044]
- Declared unit - quantity of a construction product for use as a reference unit in an
EPD for an environmental declaration based on one or more information modules [EN
15804 adapted from ISO 21930]; [Examples - Mass (kg), volume (m3)]
- Dominance analysis – an analytical technique, in which, by means of statistical tools
or other techniques such as quantitative or qualitative ranking (e.g. ABC analysis),
remarkable or significant contributions are examined [ISO 14044].
- Dummy - term used by US LCI database that refers to “empty” LCI data sets (technosphere processes).
- Fresh water- water having a low concentration of dissolved solids [ISO/DIS 14046].
Note 1: Fresh water typically contains less than 1000 milligrams per litre of dissolved
solids and is generally accepted as suitable for withdrawal and treatment to produce
potable water.
Note 2: The concentration of total dissolved solids can vary considerably over space
and/or time.
- Functional equivalent - quantified functional requirements and/or technical
requirements for a building or an assembled system (part of works) for use as a basis
for comparison [EN 15804 adapted from ISO 21931-1]
- Functional unit - quantified performance of a product system for use as a reference
unit [ISO 14040]
Gypsum Board PCR 14
- Gypsum board - the generic name for a family of sheet products consisting of a non-
combustible core primarily of gypsum with paper facing [ASTM C11]
- Information module - compilation of data to be used as a basis for a Type Ill
environmental declaration covering a unit process or a combination of unit processes
that are part of the life cycle of a product [ISO 14025]
- Integrated building technical system - are installed technical equipment supporting
operation of a building. This includes technical building system for HVAC, lighting,
domestic hot water and other system for sanitation, security, fire safety, internal
transport and building automation and control and IT communication [Adapted from EN
15804].
- Life cycle assessment - compilation and evaluation of the inputs, outputs and the
potential environmental impacts of a product system throughout its life cycle [ISO
14044]
- Life cycle inventory analysis - phase of life cycle assessment involving the
compilation and quantification of inputs and outputs for a product throughout its life
cycle [ISO 14040]
- Life cycle impact assessment - phase of life cycle assessment aimed at
understanding and evaluating the magnitude and significance of the potential
environmental impacts for a product system throughout the life cycle of the product [ISO
14040]
- Non-renewable energy - energy from sources which are not defined as renewable
energy sources [EN 15804]
- Non-renewable resource - resource that exists in a finite amount that cannot be
replenished on a human time scale [ISO 15804]
- PCR review - process whereby a third party verifies the product category rules [ISO
14025]
- Product category- group of construction products that can fulfill equivalent functions
[ISO 21930 adapted from ISO 14025].
- Product category rules - set of specific rules, requirements and guidelines for
developing Type Ill environmental declarations for one or more product categories [ISO
14025]
- Product system - collection of unit processes with elementary and product flows,
performing one or more defined functions, and which models the life cycle of product
[ISO 14040]
- Program operator - body or bodies that operate a Type Ill environmental declaration
program [ISO 14025]
Gypsum Board PCR 15
Note - A program operator can be a company or a group of companies, industrial sector
or trade association, public authorities or agencies, or an independent scientific body or
other organization.
- Reference service life- service life of a construction product which is known to be
expected under a particular set, i.e., a reference set, of in-use conditions and which may
form the basis of estimating the service life under other in-use conditions [ISO 21930]
- Reference service life data - Information that includes the reference service life and
any qualitative or quantitative data describing the validity of the reference service life.
Example- typical data describing the validity of the RSL include the description of the
component for which it applies [ISO 15686-8].
- Renewable energy - energy from renewable non-fossil sources [EN 15804]
Examples - wind, solar, aerothermal, geothermal, hydrothermal and ocean energy,
hydropower, biomass, landfill gas, sewage treatment plant gas and biogases.
- Renewable resource - Resource that is grown, naturally replenished or naturally
cleansed, on a human time scale [lSO 21930]
Note- A renewable resource is capable of being exhausted, but may last indefinitely with
proper stewardship. Examples include: trees in forests, grasses in grassland, fertile soil.
- Secondary fuel - fuel recovered from previous use or from waste, which substitutes
primary fuels [EN 15804]
Note 1- Processes providing a secondary fuel are considered from the point where the
secondary fuel enters the system from the previous system.
Note 2- Any combustible material recovered from previous use or from waste from the
previous product system and used as fuel in a following system is a secondary fuel.
Note 3- Examples for primary fuels are: coal, natural gas, biomass, etc.
Note 4- Examples for secondary fuels recovered from previous use or as waste are:
solvents, wood, tires, oil, and animal fats.
- Secondary material - material recovered from previous use or from waste, which
substitutes primary materials [EN 15804]
Note 1- Secondary material is measured at the point where the secondary material
enters the system from another system.
Note 2- Materials recovered from previous use or from waste from one product system
and used as an input in another product system are secondary materials.
Note 3- Examples for secondary materials (to be measured at the system boundary) are
recycled scrap metal, crushed concrete, glass cullet, recycled wood chips, recycled
plastic.
- Specific data - data representative of a product, product group or construction
service, provided by one supplier [EN 15804]
Gypsum Board PCR 16
- Third party - person or body that is recognized as being independent of the parties
involved, as concerns the issues in question.
Note-"Parties involved" are usually supplier ("first party") and purchaser ("second party")
interests [ISO 14024]
- Type Ill environmental declaration- Environmental declaration providing quantified
environmental data using predetermined parameters and, where relevant, additional
environmental information [EN 15804: adapted from ISO 14025].
Note- The calculation of predetermined parameters is based on the ISO 14040 series of
standards, which is made up of ISO 14040, and ISO 14044. The selection of the
predetermined parameters is based on ISO 21930
- Unit process - the smallest element considered in the life cycle inventory analysis for
which input and output data are quantified [ISO 14040]
- Upstream, downstream process - process(s) that either precedes (upstream) or
follows (downstream) a given life cycle stage [EN 15804]
- Water consumption - water removed from but not returned to the same drainage
basin
Note - Water consumption can be because of evaporation, transpiration, product
integration or discharge into a different drainage basin or the sea. Evaporation from
reservoirs can be included in water consumption [ISO/DIS 14046].
- Waste - substances or objects that the holder intends or is required to dispose of [ISO
14040]
Gypsum Board PCR 17
5 Abbreviations
ADP Abiotic depletion potential
AP Acidification potential
ASTM ASTM International (formerly, American Society for Testing and Materials)
B to B Business-to-business
B to C Business-to-consumer
BTU British Thermal Unit
CFC-11 Trichlorofluoromethane
CO2 Carbon dioxide
CRU Components for re-use
DU Declared unit
e.g. exempli gratia (Lt.) translated as “for example”
EOL End of life (also End-of-life)
EN European standard maintained by CEN (European Committee for
Standardization),
EP Eutrophication potential
EPD Environmental product declaration
ESL Estimated service life
FGD Flue Gas Desulphurized (also Flue Gas Desulphurization)
FU Functional unit
GA Gypsum Association
GWP Global warming potential
HHV Higher heating value
HAVC Heating, ventilating and air conditioning
HWD Hazardous Waste Disposed
in inches
IBU German Institute for Construction and Environment
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
ISO The International Organization for Standardization
J Joule
Gypsum Board PCR 18
kg kilogram
km kilometer
kWh kilowatt-hour
LCA Life cycle assessment
LCI Life cycle inventory
LCIA Life cycle impact assessment
LHV Low Heating Value
lb pound
m2 square meter
m3 cubic meter
mm millimeter
mi miles
MDL Material for disposal to landfill
MER Materials for energy recovery
MJ Mega Joule
MND Modules not declared
MR Materials recycling
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet
N Nitrogen
NA North America (also North american)
NAICS North American Industry Classification System
NHWD Non Hazardous Waste Disposed
NRMS Non-Renewable Material Resources
NRPE Non-Renewable Primary Energy resources
NRPE-F Non-Renewable Primary Energy resources, fossil
NRPE-M Non-Renewable Primary Energy resources, used as raw materials
NRPE-N Non-Renewable Primary Energy resources, nuclear
NRSF Non-Renewable Secondary Fuels
NUFW Net Use of Fresh Water
O3 Ozone
Gypsum Board PCR 19
ODP Depletion potential of the stratospheric ozone layer
PCR Product category rule (also Product category rules)
POCP Photochemical ozone creation potential
R Thermal resistance
RMS Renewable Material Resources
RPE Renewable Primary Energy resources
RPE-M Renewable Primary Energy resource, used as raw materials
RSF Renewable Secondary Fuels
RSL Reference service life
RWD Radioactive Waste Disposed
sf Square foot (also square feet)
SM Secondary Material
SO2 Sulfur dioxide
TRACI Tools for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and other
environmental Impacts
UNCPC United Nations Central Product Code
WMO World Meteorological Organization
Modules are identified by terms as follows:
A1 to A3 Product stage modules
A4 to A5 Construction stage modules
B1 to B7 Use stage modules
C1 to C4 End of life stage modules
Gypsum Board PCR 20
6 PCR’s Period of Validity
This PCR is valid for a period of 5 years from the date of the publication.
This PCR may be revised sooner by the primary users identified in Section 1. Reasons
for revision might include a need to increase the geographical scope of this PCR, add
other categories of building board products or revise the content that would lead to an
increase in the accuracy of the PCR document.
7 Consideration of Existing PCRs
In developing this PCR, FPInnovations took every effort to harmonize the PCR
development work with existing PCRs for gypsum boards. The PCR development
process, for instance, began with a search for existing valid PCRs on this particular
building product category. The following two PCR documents from the IBU were valid
and considered in the development of this PCR:
- Product Category Rules for Building-Related Products and Services, from the range of
Environmental Product Declarations of Institute Construction and Environment e.V.
(IBU): Part A: Calculation Rules for the Life Cycle Assessment and Requirements on
the Background Report, Sep 2011
- PCR Guidance-Texts for Building-Related Products and Services, From the range of
Environmental Product Declarations of Institute Construction and Environment e.V.
(IBU), Part B: Requirements on the EPD for Plasterboard, Oct 2012.
The IBU PCR for plasterboard was modified for NA circumstances for the following
reasons:
the IBU PCR strictly follows the EN 15804:2012 standard, developed by
regulatory and policy organizations in the European Union and developed by
European experts rightly reflecting the interests, practices, and supply chain
aspects in the EU. The PCR development team recognized the need for
developing a separate, ISO 14025 and ISO 21930 compliant PCR for gypsum
boards manufactured in NA;
the IBU PCR requires applying European category impact characterization
factors. Instead, the USA Environmental Protection Agency’s Tools for the
Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and other environmental Impacts
(TRACI) system of characterization factors shall be applied for NA gypsum board
LCA reports and EPDs;
the IBU PCR requires appling European based background LCI data sources.
Instead, data sources representative of NA circumstance and conditions (e.g.,
Gypsum Board PCR 21
GA primary collected LCI data modules; US LCI database, US EI database, etc.)
shall be used for NA gypsum board LCA reports and EPDs;
the IBU PCR is based on European technical requirements and reference
standards which are different from NA standards. As specified in Section 3, NA
reference standards and technical requirements shall be used to describe the
NA gypsum board products;
the IBU PCR documents follow a specific structure. It consists of a generic IBU
PCR Part A document applicable for all building and construction products and a
product specific IBU PCR Part B. This NA PCR adopts a different structure and is
a standalone document;
the IBU PCR requires applying net heat content [lower heating values (LHV)] to
describe energy resource parameters. In line with applicable NA practices, the
NA gypsum board PCR requires mandatory reporting of the gross heat content
[higher heating values (HHV)] and optional reporting of the net heat content
(LHV);
the IBU PCR follows European regulations for hazardous and toxic materials and
substances. NA regulations are different from Europe- the NA gypsum board
PCR specifies hazardous and toxic materials and substances in accordance with
NA regulations;
the IBU PCR requires applying specifically the EN 15804:2012 allocation
methodology. The NA gypsum board PCR specifically follows (without
refinement) the ISO 14044, Clause 4.3.4 allocation procedures in general and for
reuse and recycling2.
Despite the above variations, to maintain a comparable level of harmonization, when
developing this NA gypsum board PCR, the PCR team adopted almost all of the LCA
technical aspects of the IBU PCR. This includes, but is not limited to:
The definition of declared unit (DU),
the modular approach,
product system boundaries,
life cycle stages definition and processes,
Environmental parameters derived from LCA including parameters describing
environmental impacts, parameters describing resource use and parameters
describing different waste categories and output flows,
2 IBU PCR comply with EN 15804, Clause 6.4.3 Allocation of input flows and output emissions. As stated
in EN 15084, Clause 6.4.3.1, “In this standard, the rules for allocation are based on the guidance given in EN ISO 14044:2006, 4.3.4. However, the basic procedures and assumptions used in EN ISO 14044 have been refined in order to reflect the goal and scope of this standard and EN 15643-2”.
Gypsum Board PCR 22
Additional technical information for the optional “construction, use and end-of-life”
life cycle stages,
Additional environmental information during the use stage which is not covered
by the LCIA,
And, the EPD content template.
8 Definition of the product category
As defined in ASTM C11, Gypsum board is the generic name for a family of sheet
products consisting of a non-combustible core primarily of gypsum with a paper facing.
This gypsum board PCR covers all paper-faced panels complying with the C11
definition for gypsum board for all core, dimensions and edge types, manufactured inNA
and installed in residential and non-residential buildings in NA.
This PCR covers all gypsum board sub-categories3 as defined in ASTM C 1396:
- Gypsum wallboard, pre-decorated gypsum board, and laminated gypsum board
- Gypsum backing board, gypsum coreboard, and gypsum shaftliner board
- Mold-resistant gypsum board
- Water-resistant gypsum backing board
- Exterior gypsum soffit board
- Gypsum sheathing board
- Gypsum base for veneer plaster
- Gypsum lath
- Gypsum ceiling board
In NA, non-paper-faced panels (e.g., glass-mat-faced panels and panels with no facing)
are not defined as gypsum boards and are excluded from the scope of this PCR. Panels
or boards with a core that is not primarily of gypsum are similarly excluded from the
scope of this PCR4.
The gypsum board products considered in this PCR are specified under the North
American Industry Classification System (NAICS) as the following:
Sector 31-33—Manufacturing
327420 Gypsum Product Manufacturing5
3 These fall under IBU PRC Part B “gypsum plasterboards” product category; It should be noted that
some North American gypsum boards have no European equivalent and vice versa. 4 Once the ISO 14044 conformance North American LCA, LCI and information modules of non-paper-
faced panels and fiberboards are available, this PCR could be expanded or adopted for these panels and board products as per ISO 14025, Clause 6.7.1. 5http://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/
Gypsum Board PCR 23
The gypsum board products considered in this PCR are covered under UNCPC Code
3699 Gypsum board manufacturing.
9 Description of the product
The EPD shall provide a narrative description of the gypsum boards in a manner that
enables the user to clearly identify the product. As defined in Section 19.2 “Content of
the EPD, Products”, this description will include the following:
- Product description
- Designated application of the product
- Product data (Table 6)
- Technical data (Table 7)
- Placing on the market / Application rules
- Product formulation
- Manufacturing
- Environment and health during manufacturing
- Packaging
- Product installation
- Environment and health during use stage
- Reference service life (RSL)
- End-of-Life (EOL)
- Further information (optional)
10 Gypsum boards EPD-types and the primary audience
For purposes of creating EPDs from this PCR, three types of EPDs are defined: cradle
to shipping gate, cradle to building (option 1, 2 and 3) and cradle to grave. Table 1
specifies the use of functional or declared unit (FU or DU ), the life cycle stages and
modules, and the primary audience per type of EPD. The minimum allowable EPD
produced from this PCR is cradle to shipping gate. Life cycle stages (A to C) and
information modules (A1, A2….C4) are explained in detail in Section 11.3 System
boundaries.
Gypsum Board PCR 24
Table 1 Gypsum board EPD types
EPD-type FU or DU Life Cycle Stages and modules Primary audience
Cradle to shipping
gate
DU Product stage;
modules A1 to A3
Business-to-business
(B to B)
Cradle to building-
(Option 1)
DU Product and construction stages;
modules A1 to A5
Business-to-business
(B to B)
Cradle to building-
with EOL stage
(Option 2)
DU Product, construction and EOL
stages;
modules A1 to A5 and C1 to C4
Business-to-business
(B to B)
Cradle to building-
with use stage
(Option 3)
FU Product, construction and use
stages;
modules A1 to A5 and B1 to B5
Business-to-business
(B to B)
Cradle to grave FU Product, construction, use and
EOL stages;
modules A1 to C4
Business to business
(B to B) and/or
Business to consumer
(B to C)
11 Requirements for the underlying LCA
EPD shall be based on an LCA, LCI and/or information modules conducted according to the guidance given in ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
11.1 Functional and declared unit
Based on ISO 14044, a product system may fulfill a number of possible functions and
the one(s) selected for a LCA study depend(s) on the goal and scope of the LCA. For
example, building board products (including gypsum boards) can provide multiple
functions such as covering a certain area, creating a barrier that controls noise, air,
water, and thermal transmission between the external environment and the interior
space of a building, as well as other functions such as load carrying capacity, thermal
mass and aesthetics.
For a particular LCA, not all functions may be relevant and the relevant ones must be
identified. The FU defines the quantification of the identified functions (performance
characteristics) of the product, in our case gypsum board products, for use as a
reference unit in an EPD.
Any comparison between different building boards and/ or gypsum boards shall be
made on the basis of the same function(s) and quantified by the same FU in the form of
their reference flows.
Gypsum Board PCR 25
If the FU covers only one function, [e.g the average thermal resistance of the building
boards (in m²K/W)] and additional functions are not taken into account, then these
omissions shall be explained and documented.
For purposes of defining the FU, a NA Estimated Service Life (ESL) of building of 60
years shall be applied.
The DU is used instead of a FU when the precise function of the product or scenario(s)
at the building level is not stated or is unknown [EN 15804].
A DU provides a reference by means of which the material flows of the information
modules of a construction product are normalized (in a mathematical sense) to produce
data, expressed on a common basis [ISO 21930, EN 15804].
The DU shall be applied when the EPD covers one or more life cycle stages as
information modules, (e.g. in the instance of a “cradle to shipping gate”,“cradle to
building- option 1” and “cradle to building- option 2” EPDs) but shall not be used in the
cases of “cradle to building- option 3”and “cradle to grave” EPDs.
The DU is 1000 sq. ft of gypsum board product with a specified thickness in “y” inches.
The conversion to 1 kg must also be declared. As required in ISO 21930, Clause 6.2.3
information provided using a DU shall not be used for purposes of comparing building
board EPDs. In this instance, a FU must be defined and a “cradle to grave” LCA of
building boards shall be conducted.
11.2 Reference service life
The RSL of gypsum board manufactured and installed in residential and non-residential
buildings in NA is greater than or equal to 60 yrs ( 60).
- For “cradle to shipping gate”, “cradle to building- option 1” and “cradle to building-
option 2” EPDs, the RSL shall be declared as “Not specified”.
- For “cradle to building- option 3” and “cradle to grave” EPDs, the RSL shall be
reported as 60 years.
Gypsum Board PCR 26
11.3 System boundaries
Figure 1 shows a generic illustration of the gypsum boards life cycle stages and
modules in the framework of the LCA of the building.
Figure 1 Gypsum boards life cycle stages and modules [EN 15804 adapted from ISO 21930]
For the purposes of creating any type of gypsum boards EPDs from this PCR, the
“Product” stage must be included (see Table 1).
A1-A3 Product stage
The following three modules (A1 to A3) shall be included in the “product stage”:
− A1 Raw material extraction and processing, processing of secondary material (e.g.
recycling processes)
− A2 Transport to the manufacturer
− A3 Manufacturing
Specifically, the “Product stage” shall account for the following processes listed per
each module (A1 to A3):
A1− Extraction and processing of raw materials, (e.g. raw gypsum quarry and mining).
All unit processes depicted in Figure 2 system boundaries for quarrying and/or mining
process shall be included as applicable6.
6 In instances where gypsum board manufacturers do not have access to supplier specific raw gypsum
LCI data they shall use the respective rolled up average GA raw gypsum LCI data (available for three NA regions: Canada, Mexico and United States), provided by GA upon request.
Gypsum Board PCR 27
A1− Reuse of products or materials from a previous product system (e.g. internally
recycled gypsum waste, dust and cull).
A1− Processing of secondary materials used as input for manufacturing the product
(e.g. Flue gas desulphurization (FGD) gypsum, other appropriate synthetic gypsums,
and recycled gypsum from gypsum boards on-site construction off-cuts).
A1− Generation of electricity, steam and heat from primary energy resources, also
including fuel extraction, refining and transport.
A1- Energy recovery and other recovery processes from secondary fuels, but not
including those processes that are part of waste processing in the previous product
system, if applicable.
A2 Transportation up to the factory gate (in-bound transportation) and internal transport
(mobile plant support equipment).
A3 Cradle–to-gate production of ancillary inputs (e.g. dry and wet additives and
packaging materials).
A3 Cradle–to-gate production of intermediate products; (e.g. gypsum facing and
backing papers). All unit processes depicted in Figure 3 system boundaries for gypsum
paper manufacturing shall be included as applicable7.
A3 Manufacturing of gypsum board products and co-products (if applicable). All unit
processes depicted in Figure 4 system boundaries for the gypsum board manufacturing
process shall be included as applicable.
A3 Out-bound transportation and processing of the generated waste, including any
packaging waste.
A3 Wastewater out-bound transportation and treatment.
A3 Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and lighting of the manufacturing
facilities and operation of pollution abatement equipment;
Product stage includes provision of all input materials, products, and energy including
waste disposal during the production stage. However, production of capital goods,
infrastructure, office HVAC and lighting and personnel related activities are excluded.
Modules A1, A2 and A3 may be declared as one aggregated module A1-3.
For the purposes of creating gypsum boards “cradle to building– option 1, 2 and 3” and
“cradle to grave” EPDs based on this PCR, the “Construction, Use and End-of-Life”
stages and their respective life cycle modules (A4-A5, B1-B7 and C1- C4) are of
importance (see Figure 1) and shall be included as specified in Section 10, Table 1.
7 In instances where gypsum board manufacturers do not have access to supplier specific gypsum paper
LCI data they shall use the rolled up average GA gypsum paper LCI data (both facing and backing papers) provided by GA upon request.
Gypsum Board PCR 28
Figure 2 Cradle-to-gate system boundaries of the gypsum quarry and mining process
Figure 3 Cradle-to-gate system boundaries of the gypsum paper manufacturing
Gypsum Board PCR 29
Figure 4 Cradle-to-gate system boundaries of the gypsum boards manufacturing
A4-A5 Construction stage
The construction stage shall account for the following:
- A4 Transportation from the manufacturing gate to the building site
The default average distribution mileage of gypsum boards from the manufacturing gate
to the distribution gate shall be 448 km (280 miles) by commercial tractor-trailer truck
and 208 km (130 miles) by rail8. Final transportation from the distribution gate to the
construction site is defaulted to 40 km (25 miles) by a single unit truck with an empty
backhaul. Any exceptions to these modes and mileages shall be justified in the LCA
report and noted in the EPD.
- A4-A5 Storage of products, including the provision of heating, cooling and humidity
control
- A4-A5 Wastage of construction products (additional production processes to
compensate for the loss of waste products)
“The default on-site installation waste” scenario for gypsum boards shall be 10% on a
surface area basis (i.e, 100 sf/ 1,000 sf or 0.10 m2/m2) of gypsum board product. Any
exceptions shall be justified in the project LCA report and noted in the EPD.
- A4-A5 Waste processing (including both installation waste and packaging waste).
8 GA LCA Report 2011
Gypsum Board PCR 30
- A5 Installation of the gypsum board into the building including manufacture and
transportation of ancillary inputs and any energy or water required for installation or
operation of the construction site.
The construction stage includes provision of all materials (adhesive, joint tape, joint
treatment materials, and fasteners) and energy, as well as waste processing. Also
included are all impacts and aspects related to any losses during this construction
process stage (i.e. production, transport, and waste processing and disposal of the lost
products and materials).
If available, the GA/manufacturer is required to report primary data for the A4-A5 key
technical parameters. These must be clearly stated and the GA/manufacturer should
have supporting documentation to justify the reported values for the purpose of
validation.
B1-B5 Use stage related to the building structure
It shall be noted that “Use stage” is to be accounted for when preparing either “cradle to
grave” or “cradle to building- option 3” EPDs (see Table 1). based on the FU where the
selected function and technical performance of the product are defined.
Neither “cradle to shipping gate” nor “cradle to building- option 1 and 2” EPDs cover the
use phase of gypsum board products and as such are based on the DU.
The use stage related to the building structure shall account for (B1 through B5). These
modules and their descriptions are modified as needed in this PCR:
− B1: Use of the installed gypsum boards;
The module “use of the installed gypsum boards” shall cover any emissions to the
environment not covered by B2-B7 arising from gypsum boards during their normal use
in the building. Any emission (e.g. VOCs , asbestos) should be reported in conformance
with the result tests (see Section 19.7 Additional environmental information).
− B2: Maintenance
The module “maintenance” covers the combination of all planned technical and
associated administrative actions during the service life to maintain the product (gypsum
board) installed in a building or its parts in a state in which it can perform its required
function and technical performance, as well as preserve the aesthetic qualities of the
product. It will include preventative and regular maintenance activity such as cleaning,
planned servicing, replacement or mending of worn, damaged or degraded parts. Water
and energy usage required for cleaning, as part of maintenance shall be included in this
module, and not in modules B6 and B7 [EN 15804, Clause 6.3.4.4.2].
− B3: Repair
The module “repair” covers the combination of all planned technical and associated
administrative actions during the service life associated with corrective, responsive or
Gypsum Board PCR 31
reactive treatment of gypsum board or its parts installed in the building to return it to an
acceptable condition in which it can perform its required function and technical
performance. It also covers the preservation of the aesthetic qualities of the product [EN
15804, Clause 6.3.4.4.2].
Replacement of a broken component or part due to damage should be assigned to
“repair”, whereas replacement of a whole product due to damage should be assigned to
the module “replacement”. Replacement of a whole construction element as part of a
concerted replacement program for the building should be considered as
“refurbishment” [EN 15804, Clause 6.3.4.4.2].
− B4: Replacement
The module “replacement” covers the combination of all technical and associated
administrative actions during the service life associated with the return of a construction
product (gypsum boards) to a condition in which it can perform its required function and
technical performance, by replacement of a whole construction element [EN 15804,
Clause 6.3.4.4.2].
The ESL of the building in North America is defined as 60 years. RSL of the gypsum
boards is specified as greater than or equal to 60 yrs. The number of replacements of
the whole gypsum board products is declared null.
− B5: Refurbishment
The module “refurbishment” covers the combination of all technical and associated
administrative actions during the service life of a product (gypsum boards) associated
with the return of a building or their parts to a condition in which it can perform its
required functions. These activities cover a concerted program of maintenance, repair
and/or replacement activity, across a significant part or whole section of the building.
Restoration activities should be included within refurbishment [EN 15804, Clause
6.3.4.4.2].
Use stage related to the building structure (B1 to B5) shall include provision and
transport of all materials, products and related energy and water use, as well as waste
processing up to the end-of-waste state or disposal of final residues during this part of
the use stage. Also included are all impacts and aspects related to any losses during
this part of the use stage (i.e. production, transport, and waste processing and disposal
of the lost products and materials).
B1 through B5 shall be incorporated under normal conditions to achieve the specified
RSL (greater than or equal to 60 yrs) and according to GA and/or manufacturers’
guidelines.
Due to a broad range of possible applications of gypsum boards, modules B2 to B5
shall be specified on a case by case basis according to the underlying LCA study
supporting the EPD. If the precise function of the gypsum board products at the building
Gypsum Board PCR 32
level is not stated or is unknown (FU is not defined), no general statements can be
made in regard to B2 to B5.
B2 to B5 key parameters must be clearly stated (if applicable), and the
GA/manufacturer should have supporting documentation to justify the reported values
(including “null” values) as required in section 19.4.
B6-B7 Use stage related to the operation of the building
The use stage related to the operation of the building shall account for B6 and B7:
- B6: Energy use to operate building integrated technical system
The module B6 shall include the life cycle of energy use during the operation of the
integrated building technical system, together with its associated environmental aspects
and impacts including processing and transportation of any waste arising on site from
the use of energy [EN 15804, Clause 6.3.4.4.3].
- The ESL of the building in North America is defined as 60 years.
- The thickness and R-value of the gypsum boards are listed in Tables 6 and 7,
respectively;
- Due to the complexity of building energy modeling, building science specialist(s)
shall conduct the analysis and provide maximum transparency by specifying,
(e.g. climate region, building structure and envelope, calculation methods,
software/tools), the most recent national standards and other key technical
parameters which shall allow for verification of the results.
This PCR defines that the state-of-art (current technology) gypsum board alone (in
itself) has null impact on the energy use to operate the building integrated technical
system during the assumed 60 year service life of the building in NA9.
- B7: Operational water use by building integrated technical system
The module B7 shall include water use during the operation of the integrated building
technical system, together with its associated environmental aspects and impacts
considering the life cycle of water including production and transportation and
wastewater treatment [EN 15804, Clause 6.3.4.4.3].
This PCR defines that gypsum products have null impact on the operational water use
by building integrated technical system during the 60 year ESL of a building in NA.
Use stage (B6 and B7) related to the operation of the building shall include provision
and transport of all materials, products, as well as energy and water provisions, waste
9 Note that this PCR is unable to provide guidance, rules or recommendations for phase change
materials. While gypsum board phase change materials are being investigated by the gypsum board industry, they are presently in the Research & Development phase and any relevant data is incomplete and proprietary. A date certain for the release of gypsum board phase change materials into the marketplace is indeterminate at this time.
Gypsum Board PCR 33
processing up to the end-of waste state or disposal of final residues during this part of
the use stage.
All state-of-art gypsum board EPDs that include the use stage should include a
statement to the effect that “use stage impacts of the whole building integrated technical
system are modeled for a specific scenario and are only comparable with products
developed using the exact same use stage scenarios”.
C1-C4 End-of-life stage
End-of-life stage shall account for:
− C1: Deconstruction, demolition
− C2: Transport to waste processing
− C3: Waste processing for NA gypsum board industry practices. This PCR supports
the scenario that all gypsum board products shall be disposed in an appropriate
construction and demolition landfill at end of life.
− C4: Disposal
Based on the normal NA gypsum board industry practices, this PCR supports the
scenario that all gypsum board products shall be disposed in an appropriate
construction and demolition landfill at end of life. This means:
- C1 shall include the energy for gypsum board product deconstruction including
demolition and released dust in air;
- C2 shall include the transportation of gypsum board waste from the building to
construction and demolition landfill site;
- C3 shall be excluded as no gypsum board waste goes to waste processing facility for
reuse, recovery, and/or recycling;
- C4 shall include the disposal of gypsum board waste in construction and demolition
landfill site.
The end of life stage (C1 to C4) includes provision of all materials, products, related
energy and water use, and gypsum board waste disposal. C1 to C4 key parameters
must be clearly stated and the GA/manufacturer should have supporting documentation
to justify the reported values.
D Benefits and loads beyond the system boundary, information module
Module D includes reuse, recovery and/or recycling potentials, expressed as net
impacts and benefits.
Based on the normal NA gypsum board industry practices, this PCR specifies that no
benefits or loads other than those associated with transporting the waste material to the
construction and demolition landfill site (C2) and with the operation of the construction
Gypsum Board PCR 34
and demolition landfill (C4) shall take place. No recycling potential credits are
applicable or allowed.
11.4 Data quality requirements
The data quality has an influence on the content of an EPD. Data quality requirements
shall be addressed in the LCA project report in conformance with ISO 14044, Clause
4.2.3.6 and ISO 14025.
In addition the following specific requirements apply for gypsum board products:
- Data shall be as current as possible. Data sets used for calculations shall have been
updated within the last 10 yrs for generic data and within the last 5 yrs for GA’s average
and manufacturer’s average or specific data;
- An industry average gypsum board EPD shall be based on representative average
data of the products declared within the EPD;
- A specific gypsum board product shall be based on specific data for the processes that
the producer of the specific product directly controls.
- Both average and company specific data set shall be based on annual data
representative of 12 consecutive operating months; Deviations shall be justified.
- If a manufacturer produces a specific gypsum board EPD for multiple facilities, a
weighted average based on total annual production in million sf of each facility shall be
used as the basis for calculating the average. The variability of LCA results should be
documented in the LCA report as an uniform range and display a minimum value to a
maximum value. [e.g. climate change 1 kg CO2.; range (0.8, 1.2)].
- In cases where several similar gypsum board products are produced by a facility or
company, the PCR offers the possibility for similar products to be grouped as an
“average gypsum board product” in the same EPD provided that the difference between
their LCA results is equal to or less than 5% for each environmental parameter derived
from LCA, as summarized in Table 16. In this case, the weighted average LCA results
per each environmental parameter reported in EPD shall be calculated based on total
annual production in million sf of each selected similar product in the sample. The
variability of LCA results should be documented in the LCA report as an uniform range
and display a minimum value to a maximum value. [e.g. climate change 1 kg CO2 e.q.;
range (0.96, 1.05)].
- The electricity grid for processes the manufacturer exercises control over should
represent the appropriate regional or national electric grid data as published by the U.S.
LCI Database10, ecoinvent, GaBi or other relevant national or international LCI
database. Energy related “dummy”11 LCI datasets shall be modeled substituting these
data from alternate LCI databases or with appropriate proxies. All assumptions shall be
10
Link to U.S. Life Cycle Inventory Database: http://www.nrel.gov/lci/; 11
“Reference the definition of “dummy” in Section 4.
Gypsum Board PCR 35
documented in LCA report. The same approach is applicable for other upstream and
downstream processes.
- Where the unit process is powered by on-site generated renewable (e.g. wind, solar,
bio-based) or non-renewable (e.g. natural gas) electricity and no electricity leaves the
facility (i.e. the system is not grid-linked), on-site generated electricity shall be
accounted for in the system. Evidence shall be provided that the practice has been in
place for the last three years in reference to the data collection year or that it will be the
practice for the next 5 years (including the data collection year).
- Where the unit process is powered by purchased renewable electricity it may be
accounted for in the system. Evidence shall be provided that the practice has been in
place for the last three years in reference to the data collection year or that it will be the
practice for the next 5 years (including the data collection year).
- If specific data are not available, GA industry average LCI data shall be used for raw
gypsum quarrying and mining, gypsum paper production, and FGD provision at the
manufacturing gate.
- Generic LCI data may be used for other processes the producer can’t influence (e.g.
processes dealing with the production of other input commodities such as dry and wet
additives, electricity generation, natural gas extraction and combustion), often referred
to as upstream processes, and for downstream processes such as waste and
wastewater treatment. Generic LCI data should represent the most appropriate regional
or national data sets as published by the U.S. LCI Database, ecoinvent, GaBi or other
relevant national or international LCI database. “Dummy” LCI datasets shall be modeled
substituting these data from alternate LCI databases or with appropriate proxies. All
assumptions shall be documented in the LCA report.
- When an average product is declared, the additional technical and environmental
information for the development of scenarios of the building’s life cycle stages
(construction, use and end-of-life) shall be specific or average information.
- Documentation of technological, geographical and time related representativeness for
generic data shall be provided in the LCA project report.
- Data sets shall be complete according to the system boundary within the limits set by
the cut-off rules (see section 11.5).
11.5 Cut-off rules
The following procedure shall be followed for the exclusion of inputs and outputs:
- All inputs and outputs to a unit process, for which data are available, shall be included
in the calculation. Data gaps may be filled by conservative assumptions with average or
generic data. Any assumptions concerning such value choices shall be documented.
Gypsum Board PCR 36
- In cases of insufficient input data or data gaps for a unit process, the cut-off criteria
shall be 1% of total primary energy usage and 1% of the total mass input of that unit
process;
- The total of neglected input and output flows per each group module: A1-A3, A4-A5,
B1-B5, B6-B7 and C1-C4 (see Figure 1) shall not exceed a maximum of 5% of energy
usage, mass or environmental impact category indicator covered by this PCR (see
Table 3).
- Conservative assumptions in combination with plausibility considerations and expert
judgments should be used to demonstrate compliance with these criteria.
All hazardous and toxic materials and substances shall be included in the inventory, and
the cut-off rules do not apply [ISO 21930].
11.6 Units
SI units should be used for the Life Cycle Calculations:
- Preferred basic units are:
kg (kilogram)
MJ (Mega Joule) for thermal energy
kWh (kilowatt-hour) or MJ for electrical energy
m2 (square meter) for gypsum board surfaces
km (kilometer) for transportation distance
Table 2 summarizes the mandatory conversion factors to be used by the PCR users.
Table 2 Mandatory conversion factors
Convert from (US units) To (SI units) Multiply by
(5-significant digits)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) 0.45359
British Thermal Unit (BTU) Joule (J) 1055.0
Inches (in) Millimeter (mm) 25.400
Foot (ft) Meter (m) 0.30480
Square foot (ft2) Square meter (m
2) 0.092903
Cubic foot (ft3) Cubic meter (m
3) 0.028316
Specific density (lb/ft2) Specific density (kg/m
2) 4.88240
Mile (mi.) Kilometer (km) 1.60934
R- thermal resistance
(ft²·°F·hr/ Btu)
R- thermal resistance
(m²K/W)
0.17611
Gypsum Board PCR 37
12 Life Cycle Inventory Analysis
12.1 Data collection
In conformance with ISO 21930, Clause 6.2.1 and ASTM E 2129, data collection shall
follow the guidance provided in ISO 14044, Clause 4.3.2. The qualitative and
quantitative data for inclusion in the inventory shall be collected for each unit process
that is included within the selected modules for the declared system boundary (EPD
scope). The collected data, whether measured, calculated or estimated, are utilized to
quantify the inputs and outputs of a unit process. When data have been collected from
public sources, the source shall be referenced. For those data that may be significant
for the conclusions of the study, details about the relevant data collection process, the
time when data have been collected, and further information about data quality
indicators shall be referenced. If such data do not meet the data quality requirements
(see section 11.4), this shall be stated. Since data collection may span several reporting
locations and published references, measures should be taken to reach uniform and
consistent illustration of the modeled product system. These measures should include:
- Inclusion of process flow diagrams that outline all the unit processes or modules
included in the model, including their respective linkages to the other modules;
- Listing each unit process’s significant inputs and outputs;
- Describing the data collection techniques employed for all data; and
- Documenting any special cases, irregularities or other items associated with the
collected data.
The inventory data collected shall be flow-based, complete and follow ISO 14044
requirements. Data shall be representative of the commissioner’s intended EPD scope
according to temporal, geographical and technological requirements (see Section 11.4).
12.2 Data sources
As a general rule, specific and average data shall be the first choice as a basis for
calculating a LCI to support the intended EPD scope. The use of generic data for either
upstream or downstream processes shall be justified. These data sources are governed
by the data quality requirements in Section 11.4.
Sources of all data shall be readily available, accurate, and documented in the LCA
report underlying the EPD for verification purposes. For an EPD based on average data,
the representativeness of the data shall be justified in the underlying LCA report
supporting the verification of the EPD.
12.3 Calculation rules
The calculation procedures described in ISO 14044, Clause 4.3.3 shall apply. The
calculation procedures shall be applied consistently throughout the study.
Gypsum Board PCR 38
When transforming the inputs and outputs of combustible material into inputs and
outputs of energy, the higher heating value of fuels shall be applied according to
scientifically based and accepted values specific to the combustible material.
All calculation procedures shall be explicitly documented in the supporting LCA report
and any assumptions made shall be clearly stated and explained. Any and all
assumptions will be documented in the EPD.
Care should be taken when aggregating the inputs and outputs within the product
system. The level of aggregation shall be consistent with the goal of the study – single
facility, company wide or industry average.
If several gypsum board products are declared in one EPD or if one product is produced
at several locations, modeling must be done for each product or location, and the
method for weighting of the data sets across facilities shall be based on the total annual
production in million sf of the product(s) of interest.
12.4 Allocation rules
In many industrial processes, the intended product is co-produced with other products.
Normally the input flows are not distributed between them in a simple way. Intermediate
and discarded products can be recycled to become inputs for other processes.
- In this PCR, the allocation procedures in general and allocation procedures for reuse
and recycling shall follow the requirements and recommendations given in ISO 14044,
clause 4.3.4;
- The ISO 21930 principle of modularity shall be maintained; where processes influence
the product’s environmental performance during its life cycle, they shall be assigned to
the life cycle stage where they occur.
- Further, the sum of the allocated inputs and outputs of a unit process shall be equal to
the inputs and outputs of the unit process before allocation. This means no double
counting or omission of inputs or outputs through allocation is permitted.
- All ISO 14044-conformance allocation rules applied for upstream data, manufacturer’s
average or specific data and downstream data shall be clearly stated and justified in the
supporting LCA report;
The following allocation rules shall be applied for this PCR in regard to the following
processes:
- Quarry production system: Mass shall be applied as the most appropriate physical
parameter for allocation of the total environmental load of the quarry system between
quarried gypsum (product) and the “solid rock sold to other industries” (co-product);
- Gypsum Paper production system: Mass shall be applied as the most appropriate
physical parameter for allocation of the total environmental load of gypsum paper
system between gypsum paper (product) and the “downgraded and side-rolls” co-
products.
Gypsum Board PCR 39
- Gypsum board manufacturing is a complex technical system with a wide range of input
materials and gypsum product outputs. Plant specific generic formulations for unit of
surface of the products of interest should be used to calculate the required input raw
(both primary and secondary) and ancillary materials. Mass shall be used as the most
appropriate physical parameter for allocation among different gypsum products of the
gypsum board system.
- FGD gypsum, a co-product of the coal-fired power generation process, is a significant
input used in the manufacture of NA gypsum board. As clearly stated, justified and
documented in the GA LCA final report 201112, “system expansion” shall be applied as
the most appropriate approach to solve the multi-functionality of the coal-fired power
generation process. ISO 14044, clause 4.3.4 recommends this approach as step 1.
Neither the correct physical nor economic allocation factor can be effectively or
consistently applied.
Figure 5 describes the system expansion approach applied for the FGD gypsum co-
product generated at coal-fired power plants. Based on the US statistics, the supply for
FGD gypsum is already higher than the demand which means that FGD gypsum is not
fully used. For that reason, the gypsum board production system (Module A3) is debited
for intermittent treatment of FGD gypsum (de-watering, transportation) and credited for
avoided landfilling of FGD gypsum, and the coal-fired power generation process (A) is
debited for FGD gypsum landfilling13.
Environmental burden of Product - Electricity, from coal = Process E + Process W
Environmental burden of Product- Gypsum board = Module A3 + Process I - Process W
Figure 6 describes the system expansion approach applied for the post-consumer
gypsum material (recycled gypsum from gypsum board on-site construction off-cuts).
Post consumer gypsum material collected from construction sites isn’t always fully
utilized, and part of it is regarded as waste. For that reason, the gypsum board
production system (Module A3) is debited for intermittent treatment (collection,
transportation and plant specific processing) of the post-consumer gypsum input and
credited for the avoided waste disposal and transportation to landfill of the post
consumer gypsum waste according to the LCA system expansion rules.
12
Gypsum Association LCA Final report, 2011: A Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Assessment of ½” Regular and
5/8” Type X Gypsum Wallboards, Section 3.2.4 Allocation methods, and Appendix A: Case Studies on
Allocation Procedures 13
In instances where gypsum board manufactures don’t have access to supplier specific FGD LCI data they shall use the respective rolled up average GA FGD LCI data, provided by GA upon request.
Gypsum Board PCR 40
Figure 5 System expansion approach for the FGD gypsum
Figure 6 System expansion approach for the post-consumer gypsum material
Gypsum Board PCR 41
13 Environmental Parameters derived from LCA
In conformance with ISO 21930 and EN 15804, this PCR covers all required
environmental impacts, use of resources and generation of waste as specified in ISO
21930, Clause 8.2.2, and EN 15804, Clauses 7.2.2-7.2.5.
13.1 Parameters describing environmental impacts
These pre-determined environmental impact parameters are required and shall be
included in all gypsum board EPDs as follows:
Table 3 Parameters describing environmental impacts
Impact category Parameter Unit
(per FU or DU)
Source of the
characterization
method
Level of
site
specificity
selected
Environ-
mental
media
Climate change1,2)
Global warming
potential(GWP)
kg CO2 – equiv. TRACI 2.1, July
2012 /IPCC 2007
Global Air
Ozone
depletion1,2)
Depletion potential
of the
stratospheric
ozone layer(ODP)
kg CFC-11
equiv.
TRACI 2.1, July
2012/WMO:2003
Global Air
Acidification1,2)
Acidification
potential(AP)
kg SO2 equiv. TRACI 2.1, July
2012
North
America
Air, Water
Eutrophication1,2)
Eutrophication
potential(EP)
kg N equiv. TRACI 2.1, July
2012
North
America
Air, Water
Smog1,2)
Photochemical
ozone creation
potential(POCP)
kg O3 equiv. TRACI 2.1, July
2012
North
America
Air
Depletion of
abiotic resources
– fossil fuels2)
Abiotic Depletion
potential(ADP)-
fossil fuels
MJ surplus
energy4)
TRACI 2.1, July
2012 /eco-indicator
99 LCIA
methodology3
Global Natural
resources
Notes:
(1) Required in ISO 21930, Clause 8.2.2.1.
(2) Required in EN 15804 Clause 7.2.3.
(3) A non site-specific recommendation for fossil fuel use characterization was included within the original
version of TRACI (Bare et al. 2003, Goedkoop&Spriensma 1999) and this reference methodology is
maintained within the release of TRACI 2.1, July 2012 [U.S EPA 2012].
(4) Surplus energy per extracted MJ, kg or m3 fossil fuel, as a result of lower quality resources.
Gypsum Board PCR 42
13.2 Parameters describing resource use
The parameters describing resource use based on LCI shall be included in the EPD as
follows:
Table 4 Parameters describing resource use
Parameter Unit
(per FU or DU)
Non-renewable resources
Use of non-renewable primary energy resources (NRPE)
(excluding NRPE used as raw materials)
MJ, gross heat content
NRPE, fossil (NRPE-F) MJ, gross heat content
NRPE, nuclear (NRPE-N) MJ, gross heat content
Use of NRPE used as raw materials (NRPE-M) MJ, gross heat content
Use of non-renewable secondary fuels (NRSF) MJ, gross heat content
Use of non-renewable material resources (NRMS) kg
Renewable resources
Use of renewable primary energy resources (RPE)
(excluding RPE used as raw materials)
MJ, gross heat content
Use of RPE used as raw materials (RPE-M) MJ, gross heat content
Use of renewable secondary fuels (RSF) MJ, gross heat content
Use of renewable material resources (RMS) kg
Use of secondary material (SM)
(e.g. FGD gypsum, pre- or post-consumer gypsum etc.)
kg
Net use (consumption) of fresh water (NUFW) m3
Notes:
(1) Section 13.2 combines all requirements set out in ISO 21930, Clause 8.2.2.2 and EN 15804, Clause
7.2.4 and additional recommendations in ISO 21930, Clause 8.2.6 in regards to LCI parameters covering
the resource use; It should be mentioned that ISO 21930 requires a higher rolled up level of LCI
indicators without requesting a specific breakdown of e.g. non-renewable energy resources in primary,
secondary and feedstock energy (NRPE used as raw materials). On the other hand, EN 15804 requires a
more detailed breakdown of resource use indicators. ISO 21930 recommendations on providing a
breakdown of resources by type e.g. fossil energy, nuclear energy etc are considered as well.
This PCR requires mandatory reporting of gross heat content (HHV) The reporting of
net heat content (LVH) is optional.
The PCR user shall report all the relevant flows per parameter describing resource use,
as specified in Table 4, in the underlying LCA report for EPD.
Gypsum Board PCR 43
13.3 Other environmental information describing different waste categories and output flows
The parameters describing waste categories and other material flows shall be derived
from the LCI and be included in the EPD as follows:
Table 5 Parameters describing different waste categories and output flows1)
Parameter Stages Unit
(per FU or DU)
Waste categories
Hazardous waste disposed (HWD) For each of declared stages kg
Non hazardous waste disposed (NHWD) For each of declared stages kg
Radioactive waste disposed (RWD) For each of declared stages kg
Output flows
Components for re-use (CRU) 2)
End-of-life stage kg
Materials recycling (MR)2)
End-of-life stage kg
Materials for energy recovery (MER)2)
End-of-life stage kg
Material for disposal to landfill (MDL) End-of-life stage kg
Notes:
(1) Section 13.3 combines all requirements set out in ISO 21930, Clauses 8.2.2.3 and 8.2.4, and EN
15804, Clause 7.2.5, in regards to LCI parameters covering the resource use and output flows. Output
flow parameters are also part of the additional information for scenarios at end-of-life. See section 19.4,
Table C1-C4- End-of-Life.
Based on the normal NA gypsum board industry practices, this PCR supports the
scenario that all gypsum board products shall be disposed in a construction and
demolition landfill at end-of-life. No claims related to CRU, MR and MER of gypsum
board waste at the end-of-life stage shall be declared.
The PCR user shall report all the relevant flows per parameter describing waste
categories and output flows (as specified in Table 5) in the underlying LCA report for
EPD.
- Indicators declared in the individual information modules of a product life cycle A1 to
A5, B1 to B7, C1 to C4 and module D as described in Figure 1 shall not be added up in
any combination of the individual information modules into a total or sub-total of the life
cycle stages A, B, C or D. As an exception, information modules A1, A2, and A3 may be
aggregated.
Gypsum Board PCR 44
14 Additional technical and environmental Information
In conformance with ISO 21930 and EN 15804, this PCR also addresses two additional
categories of information which are not derived from LCA
- Additional technical information for the optional “construction, use and end-of-life” life
cycle stages- see Section 19.4.
- Additional environmental information during the use stage which is not covered by the
LCIA - see Section 19.7.
15 Ownership, responsibility and liability for the EPD
The commissioner of the EPD (e.g. GA, an individual GA member company) is the sole
owner and has liability and responsibility for the published EPD.
16 Verification and validity of the EPD
Any verified EPD completed following the gypsum board PCR outlined in this document
is valid for a 5-year period from the date of issue, after which it shall be reviewed and
re-verified. The EPD shall only be reassessed and updated as necessary to reflect
changes in technology or other circumstances that could alter the content and accuracy
of the declaration.
The results of the EPD may not have to be recalculated after 5 years, if the underlying
data has not changed significantly.
The EPD shall be updated after 5 years, if the underlying data has changed
significantly.
A significant change in data is a change of 10% or greater in any of the environmental
parameters derived from LCA.
In cases of revisions to this PCR (see section 6), an existing EPD will be valid for 6
more months from the date of publication of the revised PCR.
The process for verification and establishing the validity of an EPD shall be in
accordance with ISO 14025 and ISO 21930.
17 Comparability of EPDs
In conformance with ISO 14025, Clause 7.2.1, a statement shall be included in any
gypsum board EPD that indicates, “environmental declarations from different programs
may not be comparable” (see Section 19.3.7).
Gypsum Board PCR 45
In conformance with ISO 21930, Clause 5.6, the comparison of the environmental
performance of gypsum boards using the EPD information shall be based on the
product’s use in and it’s impacts on or within the building and shall consider the
complete life cycle (all information modules).
This PCR also addresses core issues in ISO 14025 Section 6.7.2 Requirements for
Comparability. Full conformance with this PCR ensures EPD comparability when all
stages of a products life cycle have been duly considered; however, variations and
deviations are possible. The EPD owner shall transparently indicate any comparability
limitations.
18 LCA study report on the declared product
ISO 12930, Clause 7.2 refers to the LCA study report on the declared product as a
“project report” 14.
The project report shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements and guidance
of ISO 14044, Clause 5.2, for third-party reports. The project report shall contain any
data and information of importance for the data published in the EPD and as required in
this PCR.
As required in ISO 14025, Clause 6.8.2, the quantified environmental information in
Type III environmental information shall be based on:
- Results from one or more LCA in accordance with the ISO 14040 series of standards,
or
- Information modules, if used.
14
Please reference Gypsum Association LCA Final report, 2011: A Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Assessment of ½” Regular and 5/8” Type X Gypsum Wallboards.
Gypsum Board PCR 46
19 Content of the EPD
- Title page
Title page shall contain the following information:
- Reference to: “Environmental Product Declaration according to ISO 14025”
- Name of the declared product
- Name of the gypsum board manufacturer or GA
- Owner of the Declaration
- Name of the EPD Program operator
- Name of the EPD publisher
- Declaration number
- Date of issue of the declaration
- Date of validity of the declaration (5 year period)
- An adequate image of the product
1. “General information” section
In this section, the following general information shall be reported:
- The name and address of the GA/
manufacturer
- Name of the gypsum board product(s)
- The name and address of the EPD
Program operator
- The name and address of the owner of the declaration
- Declaration number - “Declared product” and DU or FU
- Name of the PCR, including the version - Scope of the EPD declaration
The gypsum board product (s), plants and their locations
on which data the LCA is based and for which the EPD
applies must be outlined.
In the instance where an EPD declares an average
performance for a number of products, it shall include a
statement that the EPD document represents an average
performance. In addition, information on the deviation of
the products’ performance with respect to the average shall
be stated. For sector average EPDs (e.g. GA EPDs) this
type of EPD must be referred to.
The EPD-type shall be declared according to Table1.
If the declaration is not based on an LCA covering all
stages, specify which life cycle stages are not considered.
- Date of issue of the declaration - Date of validity of the declaration
- Include information about where explanatory information about the EPD content can be obtained (e.g.
by refering to the PCR and GPI documents, EPD Program operator, contact person of the
GA/manufacturer EPDs)
Gypsum Board PCR 47
In conformance with ISO 21930, Clause 8.1 and ISO 14025, Clause 7.2 the following
information shall be clearly provided in the Type III environmental declaration.
As specified in ISO 14025, Clause 9.4 and ISO 21930, Clause 5.4, third party verification is
optional for B to B communication and mandatory for B to C communication.
2. “Product” section
The product section shall contain the following information:
2.1 Product description
The declared gypsum board product(s) must be described.
2.2 Designated Application
The designated application for the gypsum board product(s) referred to must be specified.
2.3 Product data
Product data including sizes, density and types must be declared.
Table 6 Summary of the general data for gypsum boards
Product Data: Sizes and Types
Thickness - in inch [mm]
Specific density -in lb/ ft2 [kg/m2]
Core type ASTM
Standard
Specify the ASTM C 1396 sub-
category (see Section 8) of the
declared product
(e.g. Gypsum board)
e.g. ½-inch
[x mm]
e.g. 1.6 lb/ft2
[z kg/m2]
e.g. Regular C1396
2.4. Technical Data
The following technical data must be provided for gypsum board products with reference to the
test standard.
Gypsum Board PCR 48
Table 7 Summary of the technical data for gypsum boards
Technical data Value and Units/Test Results/ /Statement
Referenced documents and links
“R” factor- thermal resistance in US unit [SI unit]
e.g. ASTM E136
Material Safety Data Sheet- Yes/No
Available at (link)
Mold resistance (if applicable)
ASTM C1396
Water absorption (if applicable)
ASTM C473, ASTM C1396
Total water absorption (if applicable)
ASTM C473, ASTM C1396
Surface burning characteristics (if applicable)
e.g. ASTM E 84
Flame Spread ASTM C1396
Smoke Developed
Foil Application 1)
: (if applicable), Desiccant Method Test
ASTM C1396
Abuse/impact resistance test (if applicable)
ASTM C1629
Total Recycled Content (%) As defined in ISO 14021
Pre-consumer (%)
Post-consumer (%)
Notes: 1) Foil may be applied to the back of ASTM C 1396 gypsum board for the purpose of complying with ASTM C 1396 paragraph 5.1.
2.5 Placing on the market / Application rules The respective standard and/or general technical approval or national regulation must be indicated. Standards must be quoted as illustrated in the example shown: e.g. ASTM C1396:2011, Standard Specification for Gypsum Board 2.6 Product formulation For sector average EPDs, products formulation (in kg/1,000 sq. ft.) shall be indicated to enable the user of the EPD to understand the composition of the gypsum board product as delivered. (see Table 9, GA LCA Final report, 2011: A Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Assessment of ½” Regular and 5/
8” Type X Gypsum Wallboards) For confidentiality reasons, the declaration of the product formulation is optional for plant specific EPDs. Either the product formulation or the MSDS of the product must be declared. If one exists, also include health product declaration. 2.7 Manufacturing Unit processes included in the manufacturing process shall be reported (e.g. secondary crushing, screening, gypsum drying and conveying, calcining, dry and wet mixing, board lay-up, scoring and chamfering, board drying, cutting and stacking, packaging and bundling). If reported using an illustration, a simple diagram is sufficient.If applicable, quality management systems in place can be referred to.
Gypsum Board PCR 49
2.8 Environment and health during manufacturing Declaration of the environmental pollution abatement equipment installed at the surveyed plants to control particulate matter (PM) emissions (e.g. fabric filter - high temperature (baghouses). Any other environmentally friendly practice dealing with emissions to air, water, and soil or waste treatment can also be reported. If an Environment Management System is in place, it can be referred to. 2.9 Packaging Information on product-specific packaging: - Type of packaging (e.g. 2 pieces per bundle, face-to-face, end labeled), and - Packaging materials (paper end tape, shrink-wrap, steel banding). 2.10 Product installation A short description of the installation process, joint compounds used in the installation, and any ancillary inputs is recommended. If applicable, installation methods/ practices for dust extraction and/or noise reduction can be reported. 2.11 Environment and health during use stage Any possible product related emission (e.g. VOCs and asbestos) should be reported in conformance with the result tests (see section 19.7). 2.12 Reference service life RSL shall be specified as described in Section 11.2. 2.13 End-of-Life As specified in Section13.3, at the end-of life, gypsum boards are disposed to building and construction landfill. 2.14 Further information (optional) Including links to further product related information or to the manufacturer homepage is possible.
3. LCA: Calculation rules
3.1 Declared or Functional Unit
The following table shall be completed:
For “cradle to shipping gate”, “cradle to building- (Option 1)” and “cradle to building- with EOL stage (Option 2) EPDs, declared unit shall be reported and Table 8 shall be completed.
Table 8 Declared unit for gypsum boards
Gypsum boards with specified thickness
in y inches (x mm)
Value and units
Declared unit 1000 sf
Conversion factor to kg
For “cradle to grave” and “cradle to building- with use stage (option 3)” EPDs, FU shall be defined as described in Section 11.1. 3.2 System boundary
Gypsum Board PCR 50
Type of the EPD (see Table 1) shall be reported including the respective modules considered. Any exception from the requirements set out in Section 11.3 System boundaries (e.g. exclusion/inclusion of processes), shall be reported here. 3.3 Estimates and assumptions (optional) Key assumptions and estimates for conducting the LCA should be referred to here provided that they are not dealt with in other sections of the content of the EPD. 3.4 Cut-off criteria Applied cut-off criteria shall be documented here (see Section 11.5). 3.5 Data requirements and data sources Statements shall be made in regard to fulfilling the PCR’s data requirements (section 11.3) and the data types (generic, manufacture’s specific or average) used for upstream and downstream processes (if applicable) and processes the manufacturer(s) has influence over (see Section 12.2). 3.6 Allocation Applied allocation rules shall be documented here (see Section 12.4). 3.7 Comparability of EPDs ISO 14025 requires a statement to be included that indicates, “Environmental declarations from different programs may not be comparable”. In conformance with ISO 21930, Clause 5.6, a statement should be included that indicates, “the comparison of the environmental performance of gypsum boards using the EPD information shall be based on the product’s use in and its impacts on or within the building, and shall consider the complete life cycle (all information modules)”. All gypsum board EPDs that include use stage should include a statement to the effect that “use stage impacts of the whole building integrated technical system are modeled for a specific scenario and are only comparable with products developed using the exact same use stage scenarios”. Full conformance with the PCR for North American Gypsum Boards ensures EPD comparability when all stages of a product’s life cycle have been duly considered; however, variations and deviations are possible”. The EPD owner shall transparently indicate any comparability limitations here.
4. LCA Scenarios and additional technical information
Tables 9 to 15 summarize the technical information that shall be declared if the EPD covers any of the following modules: A4-A5- construction stage; B1-B7- use stage and C1-C4- end-of life stage. Alternatively, in the cradle-to-gate EPD, a manufacturer may choose to declare additional technical information without calculating optional life cycle stages to ensure proper understanding of a product’s function in a building and thus support proper scenario development at the building level.
Gypsum Board PCR 51
Table 9 A4 module- Construction stage - Transport to the building site
Technical factors Value Units
(per FU or DU)
Liters of fuel l/100km
Transportation distance km
Capacity utilization (including empty returns) %
Gross density of transported products kg/m3
Table 10 A5 module- Construction stage- Installation in the building
Technical factors Value Units
(per FU or DU)
Ancillary inputs for installation kg
Water use m3
Other resource use kg
Electricity consumption kWh
Other energy carriers MJ
Waste material resulting from installation kg
Waste materials (specified by type) and the following waste
treatment (e.g. recycling, energy recovery, landfill);
Dust in the air kg
B1 module- Use stage- Use or application of the installed product (B1) Information on B1 is covered under Section 19.2.11 and 19.7.
Table 11 B2 module- Use stage- Maintenance
Technical factors Value Units
(per FU )
Information on maintenance:
(Description or source where description can be found)
-
Maintenance cycle Number/RSL
Water consumption m3
Ancillary inputs for maintenance kg
Other resources kg
Electricity consumption kWh
Other energy carriers MJ
Waste material resulting from maintenance (specify materials) kg
Gypsum Board PCR 52
Table 12 B3 module- Use stage- Repair
Technical factors Value Units
(per FU)
Information on the repair process
(Description or source where description can be found)
-
Information on the inspection process
(Description or source where description can be found)
-
Repair cycle Number/RSL
Water consumption m3
Ancillary inputs for repair kg
Other resources kg
Electricity consumption kWh
Other energy carriers MJ
Waste material resulting from repair (specify materials) kg
Table 13 B4/B5 module- Use stage- Replacement/Refurbishment
Technical factors Value Units
(per FU)
Replacement cycle Number/RSL
Electricity consumption kWh
Litres of fuel l/100km
Replacement of worn parts or refurbishment materials kg
Reference service life years
Table 14 B6 and B7 module- Use stage- operational energy use and operational water use
Technical factors Value Units
(per FU)
Water consumption m3
Electricity consumption kWh
Other energy carriers MJ
Equipment output kW
Gypsum Board PCR 53
Table 15 C1-C4 module- End-of-Life
Technical factors Value Units
(per FU or DU)
Product waste collected separately kg
Product waste collected as mixed construction waste kg
Components for re-use (CRU) 0
1) kg
Materials recycling (MR)1)
01)
kg
Materials for energy recovery (MER)1)
01)
kg
Material for disposal to landfill (MDL) kg
Note (1): As specified in Section 11.3, C1 to C4 modules.
5. LCA Results
The LCA results table below consists of four parts:
- Part 1 "Description of the system boundary": all declared modules (included in LCA) shall be
indicated with an "X"; all modules that are not declared (excluded from LCA) shall be indicated
with "MND".
- Parts 2, 3 and 4: Columns should be deleted for modules that are not declared.
- When multiple modules are not declared and are deleted from the table, the full name of the
parameters may be used (e.g. Global warming potential). In the instance where the full name of
parameters are used, the legend at the end of Part 2, 3 or 4 of the table may be eliminated.
- If all modules are declared, then the abbreviations for the indicators (refer to Tables 3, 4 and 5)
should be used (e.g, GWP, HWD). Furthermore, a legend should be provided respectively at the
end of part 2, 3 and 4 of the table (e.g. GWP- Global Warming Potential; HWD-Hazardous
waste disposal).
- Indicator values should be declared with three valid digits (eventually exponential form (e.g.
1.23E-5 = 0.0000123). A uniform format should be used for all values of one indicator.
Gypsum Board PCR 54
Table 16 LCA results
Part 1- Description of the system boundary (X: included in LCA; MND- module not declared)
Product stage Construction
process stage
Use stage End of life stage
Raw
mate
rial
sup
ply
Tra
nsport
Man
ufa
ctu
rin
g
Tra
nsport
Constr
uction
-
Insta
llatio
n
pro
cess
Use
Main
tenan
ce
Repair
Repla
ce
me
nt
Refu
rbis
hm
ent
Ope
ration
al
ene
rgy u
se
Ope
ration
al w
ate
r
use
De-c
onstr
uctio
n
dem
olit
ion
Tra
nsport
Waste
pro
ce
ssin
g
Dis
posal
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 C1 C2 C3 C4
Part 2- Results of the LCA- ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: declared or functional unit and product
e.g. 1000 sq. ft of gypsum board, with thickness of y inches
Parameter Units Modules included in LCA: (to be reported below)
Global warming potential kg CO2-Eq.
Depletion potential of the stratospheric ozone layer kg CFC-11 Eq.
Acidification potential kg SO2 Eq.
Eutrophication potential kg N Eq.
Photochemical ozone creation potential kg O3 Eq.
Abiotic Depletion potential-fossil fuels MJ
Part 3- Results of the LCA- RESOURCE USE: declared or functional unit and product
e.g. 1000 sq. ft of gypsum board, with thickness of y inches
Parameter Units Modules included in LCA: (to be reported below)
…
Use of non-renewable primary energy resources (NRPE)-
excluding NRPE used as raw materials
MJ, HHV
NRPE, fossil MJ, HHV
NRPE, nuclear MJ, HHV
Use of NRPE used as raw materials MJ, HHV
Use of non-renewable secondary fuels MJ, HHV
Use of non-renewable material resources kg
Use of renewable primary energy resources (RPE)-
excluding RPE used as raw materials
MJ, HHV)
Use of RPE used as raw materials MJ, HHV
Use of renewable secondary fuels MJ, HHV
Use of renewable material resources kg
Use of secondary material kg
Net use of fresh water m3
Part 4- Results of the LCA- OUTPUT FLOWS and WASTE CATEGORIES: declared or functional unit and product
e.g. 1000 sq. ft of gypsum board, with thickness of y inches
Parameter Units Modules included in LCA: (to be reported below)
…
Hazardous waste disposed kg
Non hazardous waste disposed kg
Radioactive waste disposal kg
Components for re-use kg
Materials recycling kg
Materials for energy recovery kg
Material for disposal to landfill kg
Gypsum Board PCR 55
6. LCA Interpretation
Dominance analysis is recommended as analytical tool to concisely interpret the LCA results
outlined in section 5 above (Part 2, 3 and 4) and to facilitate the comprehension and the
reader's understanding of the environmental profile of the declared product.
A statement that “declarations based on this PCR are not comparative assertions; that is, no
claim of environmental superiority can be inferred or implied” must be included in the
interpretation.
7. Additional environmental information
The following additional environmental information may be provided for gypsum board products with reference to the test standard (optional).
Table 17 Additional environmental information (optional)
Additional environmental
information
Test Results Referenced documents and links
VOC test e.g. the certificate of compliance is
issued by X Laboratory, on
(MM,YY).
Available link (optional)
Asbestos test e.g. the certificate of compliance is
issued by X Laboratory, on
(MM,YY).
Available link (optional)
8. References
The references list shall quote as the minimum: (a) The Gypsum board PCR, (b) ISO 14025 (c) ISO 21930 (d) EN 15804 (e) The relevant general standards for the declared gypsum board product(s) (f) The underlying gypsum board LCA report in conformance with ISO 14044.